PM slams Congress for Bangladeshi influx, unequal development

Bihpuria (Assam), March 26 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said his government is taking measures which will not only stop fresh infiltration from Bangladesh but also ensure that the infiltrators in Assam return to their native place.

Modi's statement came during a rally at Narayanpur near Bihpuria in Assam's Lakhimpur district, as he slammed the ruling Congress party in the state for its love for Bangladeshi infiltrators.

Earlier, the prime minister addressed two rallies first at Borguri in Tinsukia district and the second at Majuli in Jorhat district.

"The development in Assam has not been equal all these years. While some areas have developed, the state government neglected certain areas. The Assam government always wants the Bangladeshis. They offer golden plates to Bangladeshis but take away whatever the indigenous people have," said Modi, terming it "criminal negligence".

"We, in Delhi, are taking such steps which will not only stop fresh infiltration into Assam but will ensure that those infiltrators, who have been living in Assam, have to go back," he said.

Modi said the people of Assam have already taken a decision to vote for the Bharatiya Janata Party in the forthcoming polls.

"Congress has been the main reason for all diseases in the country. We must defeat the Congress this time," he said.

"Assam has registered the highest incidents of crime against women. However, the Congress is not bothered and their attitude towards these problems and issues have always remained indifferent."

Attacking the Congress for its 60 years of misrule in the country, Modi said the Congress has already ruled the country for over 60 years but for over 60 percent of the Assamese electricity remains inaccessible, forcing them to live in darkness.

Saying that only a BJP government could fulfil all the unfulfilled dreams of the people in Assam, Modi said if the BJP is voted to power in Assam, the Centre and state governments will work hand in hand to take Assam's development to a different level, leading to a change in the living standards of the people.

Stating that the BJP-led government at the Centre is bringing a Bill in Parliament on development of inland waterways, Modi said the passage of the Bill will benefit the people of Assam, particularly those living on the banks of the Brahmaputra river.

He also assured to provide houses to each of the poor families in Assam and said that the money, which the central government had given to Assam for the housing needs of the people, is yet to be spent by the Congress government in Assam.